Mulcahy Urges Clare Farmers To Consider Crops Scheme

Clare Senator Tony Mulcahy has welcomed the launch of the 2013 Bioenergy Scheme to grant aid the planting of willow and miscanthus crops over the period 2010 to 2012.

Aug. 2, 2012 - PRLog -- The Scheme was initially launched on a pilot basis in 2007 and has resulted in the planting of some 3,250 hectares of energy crops. The new scheme is now open for applications and interested farmers can apply for establishment grants of up to €1,300 per hectare to cover 50% of the cost of establishing the crops.

Senator Mulcahy urged Clare farmers to visit www.agriculture.gov.ie to learn more about the scheme, applications for which must be received by 12th October 2012.

According to Senator Mulcahy: “This scheme will provide an opportunity for prospective growers to make an early decision on planting energy crops in 2013 and facilitate the assessment of lands with potential for inclusion in prospective applications at a time of year that should avoid the adverse winter weather conditions experienced in recent years.”

“The allocation for the Bioenergy Scheme in 2013 will be decided in the context of the Budget and Estimates for 2013 and I am confident that the continued support through the Bioenergy Scheme, taken together with the REFIT tariffs for biomass introduced earlier this year, will result in increased interest from farmers who wish to move into energy crop production,” the Fine Gael Senator added.

The closing date for submission of applications for pre-planting approval is Friday 12th October 2012. Details of the 2013 Bioenergy Scheme and application forms can be obtained from Biofuels Policy Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kea-Lew Business Park, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Telephone 057-8692231/8692240 or at www.agriculture.gov.ie.

-ENDS-

Note to Editor:Senator Tony Mulcahy is available for interview on 086-2436345